I have been wishing for a coverstitch machine for a long, long time now and as a big birthday is coming up, I think my husband will happy to buy me one just to get out of figuring out something else on his own! My question is, how important is is to have 3 needles? Do you use them more than the 2 needles? What would you recommend? I've been reading reviews but still don't know what to get........ help!

I think I will agree with LynnRowe about the ability to do the narrow and wide two needle cover hems. I just picked up my new Babylock Cover Stitch machine last Friday. Haven't been able to use it yet. I dropped off my serger for its yearly maintenance the same day I picked up the cover stitch machine and I need it to do construction. I got it back today, so am hoping to do some sewing in the next week. I had a Bernina 009DCC cover stitch in the past. Didn't care for it and sold it. It only had a wide cover stitch. My serger does a cover stitch, but it is a pain to change, so I wanted the stand alone machine. I am hoping for the best. This machine did well at the store on a couple of pieces of very wimpy, stretchy knits I took for testing. Take the fabric you like to sew and try them out! Good luck.

You can use the cover stitch machine to make some beautiful stitch patterns using different colored threads on a plain piece of fabric and then use that "newly created" fabric for projects like pillows. I have done this to blend/match two different colored fabrics by using matching thread designs. The 3 thread machine gives you more options.
I have a Babylock. The only issue I have had with it is the extremely small throat it has. It is fine if all you plan to do is use it for hemming or applying binding on the edge of a garment. But it does limit me when I try to place a large piece of fabric under the foot because of the limited space in its throat to the right of the needle.

I have a Singer five thread machine that does both. I don't mind the threading and the three needle is great for activewear and superfine knits where you want to beta better hold on the fabric or just use it for style! I agree with Lynn that if you can persuade TDH on a BabyLock then go for it. I tortured myself over the decision when I bought mine and am glad I finally just grabbed the machine that best suits my needs and budget. I still have a four thread machine that I leave set up so I can go back and forth while making tops. The five thread allows me to get the true safety stitch that is the hallmark of RTW woven garments.

------Stitching, sharing every day, makes life sweet in every way, just add a friend and a family and the days drift by so merrily!

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